RTX Corporation
ERODIBLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED ARTICLE AND PROCESS THEREFOR

Abstract:

A method of constructing an additive manufactured article with erodible support. The method includes computing a length of an overhanging geometry that extends from an inner surface of an additively manufactured article; determining points along the overhanging geometry determining an outside point and an inside point from the multiple of overhanging geometry points; determining an anchor point by moving from the inside point I antiparallel to the build direction by a distance sufficient to form an angle greater than a critical angle of the additive process; connecting the anchor point to the overhanging geometry points to form ligament segments; thickening the ligament segments to form a solid ligament to form the erodible support; and additively manufacturing the overhanging geometry from the inner surface of the additively manufactured article via the erodible support, the erodible support erodible during operation of the additively manufactured article.